ICU basics

[andypatch]

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Hey everyone,

I was wondering what topics you would like to know about or wish you would have known about prior to going into your ICU rotation. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Depakote]

I would think a solid understanding of acid/base disturbances would be useful.

 

[andypatch]

Thanks for the response, I'm actually helping to augment some of these topics in a clinical curriculum, so far these are the areaswe have covered please add any other topics/skills you feel would be useful in the ICU:

1. Acid/Base
2. Hemodynamics
3. Fluids/Electrolytes
4. Vents
5. Medicolegal (power of attorney/death and dying/etc.)
6. Antibiotics
7. Flow sheets to help organize info on pts.
8. EKG's / BLS & ACLS
9. Imaging (specifically CXR and Chest CT)

 

[howelljolly]

Check out The ICU Book, by Marino. Its great for med students and residents.

 

[braluk]

Something I did that really helped me survive some ICU rotations is looking for survival guides. My school has one written by residents for other residents, and one for med students written for med students. Regardless of which, most ICU "survival guides" will help you familiarize yourself with the most common problems.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

I would think a solid understanding of acid/base disturbances would be useful.

Don't you have a lot of neat symbols by your name. 👍

 

[smq123]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering what topics you would like to know about or wish you would have known about prior to going into your ICU rotation. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Ventilator related injuries - barotrauma, etc.

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

That's a pretty good list. I'm add some anatomy and basic stuff on common ICU procedures like arterial/central lines, chest tubes, intubations, etc.

 

[werd]

the list you had is pretty accurate. aside from vents and acid/base (interpreting ABG's), the management of sepsis, ARDS, DKA, drug overdoses, fulminant liver failure, GI bleeding, and coagulopathies is important - these are the most common things you'll probably see in the ICU. another thing is the organization of notes in most ICU's, which goes by organ system and takes a little practice. a final suggestion is use of pressors, ie which ones to use in different situations and the indications for starting pressors. cheers, ICU is often fast-paced but rewarding, it's good to get some experience before you're a resident 🙂.